Facial shaving instrument



April 2, 1940.

0. w. BRANST ETTER FACIAL SHAVING INSTRUMENT Original Filed Dec. 13, 1934 Reiaued Apr. 2, 1b4o FACIAL SBAVING INSTRUMENT Donald W. Branstetter, Valley Park, Mo., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Art Metal Works,

Inc., Newark, N. Jersey 1., a corporation of New Original No. 2,055,517Qdated September 29 1938 Serial No. 757,307, December 13, 1934. Application for reissue December 24, 1936, Serial 17 Claims.

This invention relates generally to shaving instruments, and more particularly to a facial shaving instrument for cutting or shaving human beards and the like.

My invention has for its prime object the provision of a power-driven shaving instrument adapted for cutting or shaving the hairs of a human beard and the like.

My invention has for another object the provision of a shaving instrument, including a (rotary) cutting element which is protected from actual contact with the skin of the face, while most emciently effecting a close cropping or cutting of the hairs of the beard for providing a safe, smooth shave to the user of the device.

My invention has for still another object the provision of a shaving instrument, characterized by having relatively two parts which are neatly and compactly arranged and most inexpensively manufactured, so as to be available for popular usagethe several parts of the device being capable of ready disassembly for cleaning purposes for maintaining the hygienic condition thereof.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the. claims.

In the accompanying drawing Figure l is a side view partly in section of a shaving instrument embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view take? approximately along the line 2-2, Figure Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the instrument;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of rotary knife for alternative use with the instrument of Figure l; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view of the knife of Figure 4. p

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates preferred embodiments of my invention, my improved shaving instrument comprises an elongated housing A of tubular form, which may be constructed of metal, fiber ormoulded material, as may best present an attractive appearance at small expense.

The housing A is provided witha longitudinal slot l extending substantially the length of the housing. The inner wall of the housing A is prov vided with a pair of longitudinal grooves 2, disposed adjacent to the respective marginal walls of the slot I for a purpose presently appearing.

At one, or' as may be said its outer end, the

housing A-is provided with a threadedly engaged removable cap or end closure 3, which carries an inwardly projecting pivot-bearing member 4, and at its other end, the housing A is removably threadedly engaged on the suitably provided hub or end 5 of the frame of a prime-mover or elec- 'tric motor B, the frame or housing of this motor B being preferably nicely rounded and proportioned for most conveniently providing or forming a hand-grip or handle of the device.

C designates a face guard or elongated plate which is arcuate in cross-section and has its respective side margins curled or turned as at 6 toward the convex or outer face 1 of the guard C. The guard C is composed of a relatively thin, resilient or flexible preferably metallic material, and is adapted on removal of the cap 3 to be slid or fitted lengthwise into the housing A, with the convex face I of the guard C presented outwardly, and with the curled margins 6 engaged in the grooves 2, of the housing A, as best seen in Figure 2.

The guard C is perforated or provided with series of longitudinally spaced elongated apertures or slots 8 disposed obliquely or diagonally, that is to say, at an angle of preferably approximately forty-five degrees, with respect to the iongitudinal axis of the housing A, the inside edges of the walls of each slot 8 being preferably truly square or otherwise sharpened for providing a shear or cutting edge for co-operation with the cutting elements of the device, as shortly appearing.

Revolvable in the housing A is a rotary knife D, which comprises a shaft portion 9 longitudinally and preferably axially disposed in the housing A, andprovided at its outer end with a conical or pivotpoint ill for engaging the pivot bearing I carried by the housing cap 3, the shaft 9 at its other or inner end having a 'squared or fluted shank ll removably engageable with a socket i2 mounted on the/end of the motor-shaft f3 of the motor B, as best seen in Figure 1.

The shaft 9 carries a series of helical cutting elements or knife blades ll, which preferably extend continuously for substantially the length of the knife D, and are, also preferably, formed integrally with the shaft 9, the knife D having the general shape and appearance of a worm -thread or screw-member, as best seen in Figure 1.

The blades ll as disposed obliquely or diagonally, that is to say, at an angle of preferably approximately forty-five degrees, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 9, the inclination of the blades l4, however, being opposite to,

- that is to say, at approximately ninety degrees ment of the resilient curled margins 6 of the.

guard C with the slots 2 in the housing A serving most emciently in biasing the guard C upon the flat peripheries I! of the knife-blades I, as best understood from Figure 2.

The peripheral marginal edges of the blades H are likewise formed truly square or otherwise sharpened for providing a shear or cutting-edge co-operable'with the sharpened edges of the.walls 'ofthe slots. inthe guard C, andlmight point out" that, the slots 8 being disposed angularly to the axis of the housing A, and hence also obrotation of the blades II, the rapective sharpened or cutting edges of the blades I4 and walls of the slots I are disposed in a V formation most effective for providing a scissors effect for clipping or .cuttingany hairs which may project through the slots I for engagement by the blades II, as will be. understood from Figure 3..

As has been said, the plate is biased upon the flat peripheries ll of the blades ll, thus relieving the cutting edges of both the plate C and knife D from the biasingpressure of the plate C on the knife D, and it will be readily seen that the sliding engagement of the blades II on the plate C, under influence of the biasing pressure of-the plate C on the blades ll, serves most efilciently for effecting a continuous and automatic honing or sharpening action, as it may be said, uponthecutting edges of the flat peripheries l5 and the walls of the slots in the plate C.

In the use and operation of the device of invention, the motor B is motivated in the conventional manner from a suitable source of current not shown, which effects preferably a very rapid rotary actuation of the knife D within the housing A.

The operator, holding the instrument in any desired manner, but preferably by grasping the frame of the motor B, presses the guard C firmly against and moves the instrument over the face to be shaven.

As the instrument is moved over the face, the sun bulges slightly into the slots 8 of the guard, and the hairs to be cut are admitted or project into and through the slots I, whereby the several hairs become caught or engaged in V-like manner between the rapidly moving blades l4 and the walls of the slots 8 and are thereby quickly cut or severed from the skin being shaved.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of rotary knife D, which is composed of a series of knife members or discs i6, mounted on the shaft 9 between suitable spacer elements l1, It, the outer end of the shaft 9 being threadedly engaged by a suitable securing member or nut I! for clamping the discs l6 thereon.

Each disc I! is provided with a series of, preferably four', radially projecting cutting elements 2| having the general shape of wings or vanes, each element 2| having a flat arcuate periphery which is sharpened and shaped similarly to that j of a blade 14, and being twisted or obliquely dis-' posed with respect to ,he direction of rotation of liquely disposed with respect to the direction of position,,-with respect to and for functioning in the same co-operative manner with the cutting edges or the walls of the slots 0 of the guard C, as do the blades ll of the knife D.

It will be seen that my invention provides a power-driven shaving instrument highly adapted for cutting the hairs of a heard for shaving the face of the user thereof,.and I mm more particularly point out that the cutting elements-of the instrument are fully covered and safely protected from actual contact with the skin, by

. a removable perforated guard. which protects the face from the knife, has an end of the housing readily also removable so that the knife and the guard may be quickly and with facility be disassembled from the housing for cleaning and like of hygiene.

I might add that, preferably, the prime mover B is a simple induction motor for use with alternatingcurrent supply, although, of course, a

direct current motor may be employed. However, since a direct current motor for such purposes willusuallybetoobulkytobeeasilygrasped by the hand,-the housing A and its contained elemerits C, D, may most conveniently in such case be mounted on the end of a flexible shaft which is driven by the D. C. motor in the usual manner,

the motor being supported from the wall or celling or a stand, as may best serve the purpose.

It will be understood that changes and modifications, in addition to those shown and suggested, in the form, construction, arrangement and combination of the several parts ofmy improved shaving instrument may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principles of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.- In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a holder, a rotary knife within the holder, and a slotted plate for protecting the face from the knife, the plate having curled margins engaging the holder for biasing. the plate on the knife for providing a scissors effect between the plate and the knife. 2. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a holder, a rotary knife within the holder and having series of helical blades provided with flat peripheries and a plate for protecting the face from the knife, said plate being provided with series of slots disposed diagonally with respect to the direction of rotation of the knife and having curled margins engaging the holder for biasing the plate on the knife for effecting a shear cutting action between the flat peripheries of the blades and the walls of the slots of the plate.

3. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a rotary knife having series of radial blade wings disposed obliquely to the direction of rotation of the knife and provided with flat peripheries form i rgg cutting edges, and a plate g 7 21,418 for protecting theface from the knife, said plate being provided with series of slots disposed diagonally with respect to the direction of-rotation of the knife, the edges of the slots forming other cutting edges, co-operable with the cutting edges of the blade wings for providing a scissors effect therebetween.

4. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a holder, a rotary knife within the holder having series of helical blades provided with flat peripheries forming cutting edges, and a plate for protecting the face from the knife, said plate being provided with series of slots disposed diagonally with respect to the direction of rotation of the knife, the edges of the slots forming other cutting edges, co-operable with the cutting edges of the blades for providing a scissors effect therebetween, the plate having curled mar: gins engaging the holder for biasing the plate upon the flat peripheries of the blades for effecting a honing action on said cutting edges.

5. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot, a perforated face guard resiliently supported in and. between the walls of said slot, and a rotary cutting element, disposed in the housing and having sliding peripheral engagement with the guard.

6. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot, the inside wall of the housing having a longitudinal groove adjacent to each side wall of the said slot, a perforated face guard having curled sldemargin's for resilient engagement with the walls of said grooves, and a rotary cutting element disposed in the housing, and having peripheral engagement with the guard.

'7. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot, the inside wall of the housing having a longitudinal groove adjacent to each side wall of said slot, a perforated face guard slidable between the walls of said grooves, a rotary cutting element disposed within the housing and having peripheral engagement with said guard, a removable closure for one end of the housing for retaining the guard therein, means on the closurefor rotarily supporting one end of the cutting element, and a prime mover mounted on the other end of the housing, the shaft of the prime mover having removable engagement with the other,

end of the cutting element.

8. In a shaving'instrument, the combination comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot, a perforated face guard resiliently supported for slidable movement in said slot, and a rotary knife disposed in the housing for shearing co-operation'with the walls of the perforations in the guard. r g

9. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot, a perforated face 'guard resiliently supported in said slot, and a rotary knife, comprising a shaft and series of knife-members mounted in spaced relation on the shaft, each of said members having series .of radial wings disposed obliquely.to the direction of rotation of the shaft, and being provided with flat peripheries for shearing co-operation with the walls of the perforations in the guard.

10. In a shaving instrument, the combination comprising a rotary hilfe having a rigid core and a. helical blade completely encircling and rigid with said core; a slotted plate for protecting the face from the knife; the plate having its slots disposed at an angle of less than 90 to the cutting edge of the blade and the edges of said slots coacting in scissors action with the helical blade when the blade is revolved; a handle housing a motor drive for said knife, and forming the sole support of said'knife and plate.

11. In a shaving instrument the combination comprising a rotary knife having a central rigid core and a radial blade wing dlspomd obliquely to the direction of rotation of the knife and provided with a flat periphery forming a cutting edge; said blade comprising at least a portion of a'helix completely surrounding the core; a plate for protecting the face from the knife; said plate being provided with a series of slots each disposed at an angle of less than 90 to the cutting edge of the knife; the edges of the slots forming other cutting edges, co-operable with the cutting edge of the blade wing for providing a scissors effect therebetween; a handle housing a motor drive for said knife, and forming the sole support of said knife and plate. v i

12. In a shavinginstrument, the combination comprising arotary knife having a rigid core member; a plurality of spacers and blade members assembled in alternation on said core said blade members presenting peripheral cutting edges each at an angle to the axis of said core; a housing for said knife including a slotted facecontacting plate portion; the edges of the slots in said plate portion at an angle to said cutting edges, and the edges of said slots presenting cutting edges co-operable in scissors action with said knife cutting edges; and means to cause revolution of said knife.

13. In a shaving instrument, in -combination:v

a rotor comprising a central rigid core; a helical cutting edge carried by and completely encircling said core; a casing having a bore enclosing said rotor; transverse cutter bars carried by said casing at one portion of said bore spaced longitudinally thereof; each bar carrying a cutting edge to coact with said helical cutting edge and at an angle of less than'90 thereto; and a handle housing means to cause revolution of the rotor.

14. In a shaving instrument, in combination:

I a rotor comprising a rigid core, a helical cutting and a handle housing means to cause revolution of said rotor.

15. In a shaving instrument, in combination: a rotary knife comprising a rigid core and a helical cutting edge carried by said core; a facev contacting platev formed with elongated-slots oblique to the axis of said knife; the edges of the slots in said plate coacting in scissors action with said helical cutting edge and at angles of less than 90 thereto to sever hairs projecting through said slots and a handle housing means to cause revolution of said knife.

16. In a shaving instrument, in combination: a rigid rotary knife formed with a helical blade extending completely thereabout; a slotted plate to contact the skin of the user; the slots in said plate disposed at an. angle of less than 90 to the cutting edge of said bladeand edges of said slots coacting in scissors action with said cutting edge of the bladei when the blade is revolved; and a handle housing a motor drive for said knife.

1'1,. In a shaving instrument. the combination comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot, the inside wall of the housing having a longitudinal groove adjacent each wall of thesaid slot, a perforated face guard having margins for engagement with the walls of said grooves, and a rotary cutting element disposed in the housing and having peripheral engagement with the DONALD W. BRANS'I'E'I'I'ER. 

